Ponyville Station, 11:30 am
The train stops at the station, ponies of all races and sizes exit the cars amongst them was Starlight, guidance counselor of the school of friendship and student of Princess Twilight Sparkle. "*sigh* finally home" she says walking down through the station " Where's Trixie? she says she was gonna meet me" as she finishes her sentence a grand display of magical fireworks shoots into the sky catching her and every ponys attention. In the finale of the light show Starlights name appeared in big bright letters causing starlight to face hoof "yep defineantly Trixie" she says walking to the lights source. upon exiting the station she's surprised to see her friend in her stylish new outfit.
"Starlight! Welcome back!" Trixie excitedly says hugging her friend
"Trixie? I hardly recognized you, where'd you get that outfit and.." Starlight pauses after sensing two great powers on her friend."what happened while I was gone?" she says confused.
"Come back to my house and I'll explain" she says taking her friends hoof as they being walking.
"Wait....House?" Starlight asks confused as Trixie guide her in the direction of the deck fort. Trixie tell her perspective of the week's past events telling her of her new teacher, exaggerating her story of how she became his apprentice, and showing off her card tricks. soon starlight began to notice that they've began exiting ponyville and were approaching the Everfree forest. "Uhh Trixie, where are we going?" she asks confused
"Oh didn't I tell you? Master Blackjack Lives in the Ever free forest" she says casually as they walk along the edge of the forest
"Really? isn't he worried about the monsters?" Starlight asks concerned only to see Trixie giggling
"Trust Me, Master Blackjack is the scariest Monster in the forest" she responds as they reach the Ash path. Starlights Jaw drops at the sight, a perfectly burnt path straight through the forest with fences and a stone path going straight ahead." yeah I made the same face when I saw it too" she says closing starlight's dropped jaw. "come one it's almost time for lunch" she says walking down the path with starlight following behind.
They arrive at the gates of the Deck Fort, the two armor clad diamond dogs standing guard, Starlight is shocked to see the large guards bow their heads and open the gate. As they move through the compound her eyes remain wide as she observes the dogs go about their tasks, mining, farming, and moving resources. She notices that each of the dogs have a spade tag on their collar. "hmm what's with the spade tags?" she asks curious.
"Oh that's Master Blackjacks symbol, he places it on all his beasts" she says casually as she opens the door to the house
"Beasts?" she asks tilting their head " what do you mean?"
"Oh it's what he calls the creatures who work for him" she says shifting her cloak to show her cutie mark placed on a Black Spade. Starlight jaw drops again realizing the second power she felt was coming from that spade on Trixie's Flank, with her high ability for magic Starlight examines the spade and upon realizing what it was Blackjack enters the room
"Oh Hey Trixie" Blackjack says walking into the main room with Clover behind him." Is this your friend? he says looking towards starlight. Trixie Nods while starlight stands stunned at this odd creature, he wasn't any creature she'd seen before with the only close example were the monkeys from the princesses garden. and that minotaur self help instructor.
"Master Blackjack, this is my friend Starlight Glimmer"
"Nice to meet you" Blackjack says extending his hand. Starlight was hesitant at first sensing immense dark power from him but after realizing her and Trixie's own past she knew better than to judge.
"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Blackjack" she says shaking his hand.
"And I'm Clover" the little dragon says rapidly shaking the mares hoof. "Trixie said your her best friend so I hope we can be besties too"
"Uh.. sure, It's nice to meet you clover" she says with a smile.
"your just in time for lunch, Ginger what are we having" he calls to the diamond dog in the kitchen.
"Chili with bread and Celestia salad." the dog says laying the food on the table.
"Oh sweet! and hows the preparations for the party food?"
"We should be done before the guests arrive master."
"Perfect, thank you Ginger" the diamond bows her head in response and exits as the group begins to eat." I can't wait this party is gonna be great."
"especially with the great and powerful Trrrixie opening the show" Trixie says excited
"And her Cute and adorable assistant!" Clover adds with food in her mouth
"Don't talk with your mouthful" Blackjack responds with his mouth only half full
Starlight sits confused for a bit but after watching these three interact she began to feel more at ease." so um Blackjack if you don't mind me asking...what kind of creature are you?" she asks calling their attention
"Oh I'm a human, or as your people call it an Ancient" he says casually shoveling another spoonful of chili into his mouth.
"An ancient you mean the creatures that reigned supreme in the pre Equestria age?" she asks curious as she takes a bite of her salad
"I guess, Still fuzzy on the details but I've only been here for a week or so" he shrugs " Right now im still adjusting and there's nothing like a party to feel at home." he smiles in anticipation.
"Fair enough, Every pony wants to feel at home." she says continuing to eat
After a bit Blackjack finishes his meal and he and clover leave the table " well if you'll excuse us me and Clover have to prep our party outfits and do some last minute Hunting" he says as they walk to the Backdoor
"Don't take too long you two Clover still needs to help me with the opening performance"
"We won't" they say exiting the house with their weapons in hand.
Trixie and Starlight are left at the table alone. Trixie begins to tell starlight about her earlier practice performances for the diamond dogs and how her magic has developed over the last few days. Starlight was still concerned about the dark magic surrounding Blackjack and Trixie's cutie mark but seeing her friend so excited and happy Starlight decided to leave it be. " So what kind of party is Blackjack having? Cuz..." She looks around at the arrangement of speakers, spotlights, neon signs and stripper poles. " I've never seen these kind of decorations before."
"Oh it's called the club experience, it's one of those large city parties with dark rooms, bright lights and lots of alcohol." Trixie explains
"Well that's... Interesting" She says raising an eyebrow
" Yep master Blackjack picked it and I am opening the celebration with my great and Powerful magic" Trixie says with pride
"That's great I can't wait to see your show" Starlight says with a smile as they finish their lunch. Afterwards Trixie gives Starlight a Tour of the Deck fort, showing her the Farm, Mine, and finally her room on the second floor.
The room was decently large filled with the various items originally piled into her wagon, despite having a bed in the room Trixie preferred her hammock having an extra large one hanging above the queen sized bed. "Wow, great room." She says admiring the blue wall paper and randomly arranged magic items.
"Right? Master Blackjack had all my stuff moved in and he even said he'd upgrade my wagon for my next tour." Trixie says
excited." But enough about that, I should focus on my opening show. Hopefully Rover and the dogs finish installing the stage."
They return to the foyer and walk toward the front door. Dj Pon3 is already at her section reading her equipment the sound of low bass beats and wubbs can be heard as the dog arrange the party food, 2 larger dogs are seen carrying a huge tank and putting it next to the bar while a third dog attaches a nozzle to It and begins to pump. Right as they reach the door it bursts open.
"CLUB PARTY TIME WOOHOO!!" Pinkie yells sliding in with wide eyes and a bright smile as the others walk in behind her.
"Hey Starlight welcome back" Twilight adds with a smile
"Thanks, this is all so sudden but at least you're all calm with it." she says sighing in relief
"Yeah Blackjack may be weird but he's cool" Dash says crossing her arms
"He's also really sweet, Angel and the other animals love him" Fluttershy adds with a smile as angel nods
"He's been nothing but blunt and honest, gotta respect that" Apple jack comments
" a little too Blunt if you ask me" spike mumbles to him self but his attention is stolen by the sight of rarity entering.
"Sorry I'm late girls I had to make the right outfit from scratch" she says wearing a sparkly gold colored suit with a blue triangular gem pendant, purple boots on her rear hooves, and Black on her forehooves, and a domed helmet with a Black Visor and Gold trim and flashing on the visor is a pixilated version of her cutie mark. Naturally her outfit catches every pony off guard but they just roll their eyes and smile knowing rarity and her need to go over the top.
(Basically her EG band outfit but in pony form)
"Wow rarity you really outdid yourself with that one" Starlight says with a slight chuckle.
"But of course, With this outfit I'll shine even in the dark" she says with her helmet auto tuning her voice.
"that's for sure" rainbow adds squinting at the brightness of the outfit.
"Where's Blackjack? I'm sure he'll appreciate the quality of my outfit"
He went into the forest for some last minute hunting. Trixie says walking to the front door. "Make yourselves at home, I have a show to prepare before the rest arrive. After she exits Blackjack and Clover enter from the back door laughing
"I can't believe that hydra got one of it's heads stuck in anothers mouth" Clover says holding back tears,
"I can't believe it actually tried to swallow" Blackjack says holding his sides laughing before noticing the girls " oh hey your early...Wow Great outfit rarity!" he says appreciating, seeing her outfit brought up fond memories of his favorite robot duo. "It's gonna be hard to top that"
"Why thank you!" she says joyed, she knew Blackjack had an eye for design an artist can always smell their own.
"Well me and Clover are going to put on our party outfits be back in a bit" he says ascending the stairs with Clover flying after him. The ponies take the time to chat and sample the party food, Pinkie takes full advantage of the time to cover herself head to hoof in various colors of glowsticks. Dj Pon3 is having a pre show drink at the bar with AJ and Dash, Spike admires Rarity and compliments her glamorous Sci fi outfit all the while twilight informs Starlight of Blackjack's short time in equestria.
"So he did all this in just a week?" starlight says surprised
"yep, enhancing a unicorns magic and building this fort isn't too much for a skilled mage but accelerating growth and recruiting diamond dogs...." she takes a sip of her drink " I doubt even the princesses to do that." Twilight says shaking her head.
"wow" Starlight says impressed. several minutes later Blackjack and Clover walk down the stairs in new outfits that catch all the ponies attention. Blackjack was wearing a White suit jacket with a black shirt underneath and Black Pants with white spade decals. and black fingerless gloves. Clover was dress in a simplistic cybergoth outfit with a blue fur skirt, bracelets and leg warmers and a shiny black top and goggles with her hair combed down.
(Basically this but replace the blue with white)
"Magnifique Darling, Clover looks absolutely fetching in that and the white contrasts with her scales so perfectly. but I can't help but wonder why you didn't include any color or glow in your outfits." rarity comments appreciating blackjacks simplistic design. Blackjack only grins and points to Ginger who dims the lights, with the room light only by the neon decorations and glow sticks Blackjack snaps his fingers and his white jacket begins to illuminate as small streaks of light rise on his jacket from bottom to top changing colors as they rise. With the white parts of clovers outfit glowing as well.
(pretty much this)
all eyes focus on the two. many in surprise but rainbow in excitement. "That is...Awesome!!!" how'd you make it glow like that?" she asks amazed by the sight.
"I just enchanted the clothes with an illumination spell and had it flow across the vertical threads on the jacket." Blackjack explains leaving rarity speechless, she had never thought that infusing clothes with magic would be possible. but here it was with no sign of any magical cost or damage.
"Exquisite! It has the perfect amount of eye catching brightness and dark tone to show off the details!" she says excited beneath her helmet. After the party we simply must talk shop!"
"Sure, why not?" he says calmly" besides clover is dying to model for you again" he says gesturing to clover who had a big joyful smile on her face. soon enough drums began to play outside as spot lights were lite outside.
"Mares and GentleColt, Prepare to be amazed by the amazing performance of the Great and Powerful Trrrrixie!!!" she says in a magically amplified voice." And her lovely assistant the Cute and Adorable Clllover!!!
"Oh! I better get out there too!" Clover says rushing outside to join Trixie in the show.
"Well ,Time to get this party started" Blackjack says with a smile